As A Christian My Language Last Week Did Not Reflect A Christ Like Attitude So I Ask For ForgiKveness

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
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Date: Oct 20 2019 11:28 PM

HOUSTON COUNTY:     Last week I lost my temper over actions taken that affected emergency services in Houston County.

We have been working in the county and bringing the emergency responders together in hopes of a unified way of operating. One of those large "elephants in the room" has been EMS. Outside the corporate city limits of Dothan, the county EMS respond to 4,600 calls per year.

Since 1977 I have been involved in Emergency Services in one capacity or another. Almost completing my second year as Chairman of Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue. Let me be clear, Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue closed. I had a vested interest in keeping it open.

That vested interest is my daughter and grandson, and at the time my son, lived in the footprint of Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue territory.

But Rickey Stokes is only the can kicker of Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue. It is people like Nick Alford who devoted a lot of time to make it work, Milton Constable, Augusta Welch, Trey Hillis, Terry Stokes, Broc Collins, Sarah Heller and Kayla Zaleski, Matt Boster, Kevin Dixon, Henry Raley, Rhonda Thomley, Wanda Seals, Cottonwood Volunteer Fire Department, and many others that have made it possible to operate.

This year a EMS Association was formed. For the first time ever, Pilcher Ambulance has been at the table with the county EMS providers. Dothan - Houston County Emergency Management Director Chris Judah instructed that to happen.

The Houston County EMS has struggled to get some issues straightened out. And it has been like pushing a train locomotive backwards when all engines were in forward gear. And those making some of the decisions have absolutely no clue. As I really did not realize when I took over Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue.

With that said I must sincerely apologize to the public and some others in Houston County. Last week I lost my cool and let my verbal anger take me to a place of using some language the was total improper. I take full responsibility for letting my buttons get pushed and my reaction.

There were no threats just verbal language that I have had enough and tired of it.

You see, with EMS, Rickey Stokes makes ZERO money from it. No matter what Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue ever makes, Rickey Stokes does not profit. It is a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ), non profit entity.

So my arguments are not about what will make me money. It is about patient care and sustainability of Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue for the future. Over 686 EMS calls were answered last year alone by Cottonwood Ambulance and Rescue.

So I fall on the sword. I did not and in several instances have not set the example that deserved to be set as a Christian, as a reflection to Christ, as a reflection of the church I am a member of, and as someone in a place of responsibility to make things work.

Nothing in this is meant to be critical of anyone other than myself. But I used some language that was not reflective of the Christ I serve.

I AM A SINNER. Saved by grace and not by works. My language showed I was a hypocrite. And I accept full responsibility. No threats just extremely bad language over what has been happening.

So I first seek forgiveness from the one that matters, the Heavenly Father. And I apologize that I let my frustration with things not flowing as should make me angry enough to verbally lash out at others. I am just sick and tired of the same old garbage occurring. Most especially when it is lives.

But I do not want my actions and verbalization to cause someone not to believe in the one that matters, Jesus Christ, who walked, lived and died, then arose, in order for us to have ever lasting life.

So to those I embarrassed or offended, please forgive me. My interest is in saving lives and property. And I hate it when it does not go as it should.

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